Meet Our New Virginia State Parks Director

ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE OUR NEW STATE PARKS DIRECTOR

Craig Seaver

HE'S SORTA NEW

Former Natural Tunnel State Park manager Craig Seaver now oversees a list of properties stretching from Virginia’s Eastern Shore to the Cumberland Gap following his appointment as the commonwealth’s Director of State Parks. We thought it was about time you learned a little bit about our 7th State Parks Director.

Director Seaver, a 29-year employee of the state park system who was appointed field operations manager in February 2012, said he was honored by the decision by Clyde E. Cristman, "Director of Department of Conservation and Recreation."

Former Virginia State Parks Director Joe Elton said Seaver’s vast knowledge of the state park system and its day-to-day operations played a large role in his landing of the new job.

“Craig is one of the most respected and talented leaders in our state park system,” Elton said. “He knows the system inside and out and has worked at various parks across the commonwealth. Everyone in state parks knows he is committed to our parks being the best in the nation.”

MY POINT OF VIEW

Director Seaver is a people person, has a great sense of humor and has a genuine knack for making everyone feel welcome. His love for the great outdoors and Virginia State Parks is just part of what makes him a spectacular Parks Director. His service orientated attitude and friendliness is contagious. I am so pleased to know he is carrying on the traditions and values that make our award winning Virginia State Parks so successful. Congratulations to Director Craig Seaver!

EXCITING TIMES FOR VIRGINIA STATE PARKS

Virginia State Parks continued a six-year trend by setting a new attendance record with 8,997,661 visitors in 2014, 1.4 percent higher than 2013’s record attendance of 8,871,822. That is more then the entire population of Virginia!

Last year we broke the records again with day use visitors nearly reaching 8 million at 7,910,226 and and hosting more than 1 million overnight guests!

It created over $208 million in economic impact with over 10,000 volunteers working more than 300,000+ hours.

Director Seaver is not a limelight sort of guy, but I thought it would be worthwhile if you knew a little background and got to know him a bit more. As mentioned before he does listen to your questions and comments, and he visits our Virginia State Parks Facebook page and genuinely hears your feedback.

I asked Director Seaver a few questions to learn a little bit about his, he replied below

Here is Director Craig Seaver with two of his great aunts both in their 90’s as well as a great uncle who passed away last fall. It was taken during a visit a couple of years ago when he was Park Manager at Natural Tunnel State Park.

DIRECTOR SEAVER SHARES:

HOW HE GOT HERE

Career Path

I began my interest in the area of conservation working on a grain farm operation in Ohio and being selected as a crew member in the Youth Conservation Corp (YCC) for 4 weeks during the summer of 1978 for work on a variety of natural resource properties in Southern Ohio.

I worked the next 3 summers during high school and the first few years of college as a Parks Maintenance Ranger in the Lorain County Metro Park system.

During my junior year of college I participated in a summer internship at Findley State Park in Wellington Ohio. From that internship, I was hired in wage position of Park Maintenance/Campground Attendant for the next 1 ½ years at Findley State Park.

Upon graduation from Mt. Vernon Nazarene University in 1984 with a Bachelors of Science in Biology and AAS in Natural Resource Management, I began to canvas the eastern US with resumes. I was selected for an interview for a park ranger position at Fairy Stone State Park in July of 1985. Being a wage employee at the time in parks, finances were tight so my new bride of one month and I camped out the night before the interview at Fairy Stone. From that interview, I was offered a park ranger position at Smith Mt. Lake State Park and began my journey with Virginia State Parks in July of 1985.

From there I journeyed to Mason Neck State Park as a Chief Ranger, then on to Douthat as an Assistant Superintendent (as they were called back then), then to Caledon Natural Area as a Park Manager A, then was laterally transferred to Staunton River State Park into a Park Manager position. From Staunton River I was promoted to Park Manager at Natural Tunnel State Park in March of 1989 and remained there until February of 2012 when I was promoted to Field Operations Manager with Virginia State Parks as part of “Operation Bright Destiny.”

In January of 2014, I was asked to serve as Interim Director of Virginia State Parks. I served in this capacity until August 25th of 2014 when I interviewed for the vacant Virginia State Parks director position. I was offered the position and accepted to become the 7th director of Virginia State Parks in its 79 year history.

Throughout my checkered past, especially while at Scott County/Natural Tunnel, I served on the board of many tourism organizations, chambers of commerce, band boosters, and civic clubs.

HOW HE LEADS

Management Philosophy

My philosophy is to be a servant leader, utilize the collective intelligence of your team, listen, strive to go beyond guest expectations, work to establish positive relationships with co-workers, partners, friends, and community leaders, have a sense of humor, be passionate about something, be equitable, demonstrate integrity, take seriously the charge given to us as stewards of these special places called state parks, and create an environment that encourages unplanned collaboration.

ABOUT HIS FAM

Personal Info

My first wife of 30 years Karen and I are currently living in Chesterfield. She is a truly awesome lady who has moved with me 8 times for the sake of the Commonwealth. She currently is a teacher with the Chesterfield County schools.

I have 3 grown sons (well almost) and no grandchildren thus far.

OTHER THINGS HE ENJOYS

Interests/Hobbies

I enjoy sitting in trees in November for hours at a time (hunting), drowning worms, working on old Farmall tractors, shooting, antiquing, and playing guitar and the occasional drum solo when no one is around.

Director Seaver with the Governor MacAullife and First Lady of Virginia, Belle Isle Park Manager and DCR Director Clyde Cristman

Director Seaver with the Governor McAullife and First Lady of Virginia, Belle Isle Park Manager Tim Shrader and DCR Director Clyde Cristman

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN

So next time you see this familiar face at your favorite Virginia State Park, feel free to go on over and say hello, Director Seaver will be pleased you did, he's that sorta guy!

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